Chelimo, Tanui set for Velay 15km run

The reigning Berlin half marathon champion Joan Chelimo will be seeking another win at the Me Put Ev Velay 15km win over the weekend as well as her compatriot Josphat Tanui.

The two who ran together in Berlin, Chelimo won the race while tanui finished second in the race have hopes of dominating Velay road race too.

Coming from Elgeyo Marakwet, the duo have a date against the world in the annual race.

Chelimo recorded her personal best on Berlin course in the 21km distance at 68:45 while 48:36 was in 15km.

But her focus is to lower her time again in France.

“I am also targeting victory and time improvement in the race,” She said.

The former Cardiff half marathon winner said the race course is very hard but she will do her best.

“That course is always hard however I will use my skills to emerge the best,” She added.

Chelimo was making her comeback to the athletic limelight after a two-year absence.

“I went for maternity leave and struggled to comeback. It has not been easy but serious training enabled me to regain my form. I was impresses by the Berlin victory and now I am targeting to impress more,” Jelimo said.

Tanui is also hoping for the best in the race after making his debut at the Prague half marathon coming second.

Tanui made his first international appearance in his debut at the Prague finishing second after clocking 60:38 minutes.

It was his first race outside Africa after boarding a plane for the first time last year when he competed at the Greta Ethiopian Run finishing top twenty.

“I was very motivated when I ran my first half marathon and clock such a great time. It was not easy competing but I was prepared for the race after a rigorous training,” Tanui said.

Tanui is now focusing a podium finish at the France race set for May 1.

“I came back home for training and my target is to do well in the 15km race. I believe the preparations I am doing at the moment will enable me emerge the best,” The athlete who trains at Kapng’etuny under Coach Dan Ngetich.

Tanui who is under Run Czech Racing proramme was spotted by the Ikaika Sports officer Julien De Maria in July 2016 and offered him to join the program.